"Lisa? Who's the extra plate for?" Jack asked bringing the potatoes to the table.
"Shane." She said to like it was obvious.
"He's not joining us tonight. Tim kidnapped him."
Lisa raised her eyebrow. "Well, that makes perfect sense." She shook her head returning to the kitchen.
"What are you two arguing about?" Lou asked as she tossed the salad.
"Oh, nothing."
There a noise from the other room that sounded like a crash. Lou dropped what she was doing and rushed into the dining room. "I thought you were gonna watch him." She said at Jack before bending down to clean up the mess her son left behind.
"Well, if you're brother wouldn't leave his stuff laying around." Jack sighed tossing the backpack on the couch.
Lou stood back up puzzled and a bit shocked. "What? I could have sworn you said brother." She laughed but stopped noticing everyone's faces. She gulped.
"Lou, honey..." Lisa touched her forearm.
Lou was having a hard time wrapping her head around what was said. "So...so that boy? He was...he was..."
Jack knocked on Lou's bedroom door. When he didn't get an answer he opened it peaking inside to find her laying on the bed staring at the ceiling. "What other secrets are you hiding?" She asked angry.
"Hey." He said cautious. "I brought you dinner. You should eat something. After all you got a baby to think about." He set the plate on the dresser. Lou sat up now her tear stained cheeks visible. "Honey, I know it's a lot to take in. But Shane is your brother. Amy only found out last year."
"So she's been hiding it from me too." She sighed. "Even we aren't the same as we use to be."
"I know it seems that way. But things change. Amy's not a kid anymore. And I'm sure she would have told you about Shane but we both know talking about your father is a sore subject so he doesn't get brought up in conversion. Just like you don't get talked about with him around." He patted her knee as he sat beside her. "Don't be mad at Amy. She's happy your here."
Lou nodded. "I'm not sure what hurts more. The fact that dad is a hypocrite or you all lying to me."
"Look, in Tim's defense. Wow, never thought I'd be saying that. Anyway, he didn't know himself until Shane's mom showed up about a year after you left. She wasn't sure she wanted her son to have a relationship with Tim given his past. For all she knew he was still an alcoholic."
"I just don't get it."
"Just give the boy a chance. And don't be upset at Amy. She's already has your dad to answer too."
"I shouldn't have came." She sighed standing up.
"Don't say that. I'm happy to see you. And so is Amy."
"Hey." Amy smiled in Ty's direction as she walked over to him in the round pen with a client horse. "Why does it feel like your avoiding me?"
"I'm not." He shrugged.
"Feels like it." She said jumping up on the fence. "What's you doing, anyway?"
"Jack suggested if I'm sticking around I need to brush up on my join up." Amy nodded. "Where's Caleb?"
"There it is."
"There's what?" He asked stopping the horse.
"Caleb. That's the problem?"
"I never said that."
"You didn't have to." She shouted back.
"It's just weird." He avoided eye contact.
"What'd you expert? Me to still be waiting for you? Cause I did wait, Ty. For months I waited for a letter or phone call. Something, anything to let me know you were okay. Or any sign that the kiss meant anything to you. It was clear you weren't coming back. So I moved on." She jumped down off the fence. "And don't think for a minute it was easy for me. I felt something that night. And I thought you did too. But I guess I was wrong."
"I did feel something. And leaving was the hardest thing I've done. I thought about calling or writing you almost everyday. But knew I wouldn't be able to hear your voice without an even bigger reminder of what I gave up. It wasn't easy for me either." He shouted walking toward the fence.
"I don't know what you want me to say." She said calmer now but visibly upset.
"Amy..." Ty started but stopped unable to find the words.
"See... How was I supposed to know how you felt Ty? You never say anything. You just pretend I'm a mind reader."
"That's not true!" He yelled. "I told you how I felt but you pushed me away,. Remember?! You told me you didn't want things to change. That's your excuse for everything."
"That's not fair. You took advantage of me in a emotional situation. It wouldn't have been right."
"Took advantage?" Ty was obviously hurt now. "How could you say that?"
"That's not what I meant. I just..." She paused. "If you felt like you did after the kiss, why'd you still leave?" She changed the subject as she calmed her voice.
"I told you my prohibition was up. I never intended on sticking around."
Amy nodded before looking at the ground. "So you lead me on?" She looked back up at him hurt.
"Amy..." He opened the pen and walked toward her. "The kiss meant as much to me as it did you. But you have to understand. I was so torn. Leaving wasn't easy. I guess I just figured you were better off."
"Better off?"
"You said it yourself to Shane. I'm a criminal. Guys like me don't end up with girls like you. I'm sorry if I hurt you. But it was what was best for both of us." It was hard for him to believe his own words. Amy nodded again bitting her lip as she thought. "I care about you, Amy. That's never changed." Ty whispered watching her.
"It's good to know where I stand." She said quietly and emotional. She shook her head before walking back toward the house. Ty sighed as he placed his hands in his hair.